Chapter One – A New Start

            "Shit!" the waitress yelled as she watched yet another mug of butterbeer fall off her tray toward the floor.  She had no idea why she was unbalanced.  The restaurant was practically empty, and the mug of butterbeer was the only thing on her tray.  Although it was not his order, this mug was headed right for the lap of Professor Snape.

            "SELENA!" Snape screamed.  "Why can't your waitresses learn how to walk and balance a tray at the same time?"

            Luckily, Selena didn't have customers sitting at the bar at the time.  She came running over to her brother's table and burst out laughing.

"What, you don't like having a wet lap?  You know it's going to be the latest craze, especially when everyone back at the school finds out what happened."

            Snape just mumbled something to himself, even though he knew his twin knew exactly what he was saying.  Quickly, he gathered his things and ran out the door, presumably headed back to his office to change his pants.  After he was gone, Selena cleaned up the shattered glass and remnants of the spilled butterbeer while the waitress ran back to the bar to retrieve a new drink to replace the one that had fallen.  Although the waitress was flustered by the accident, technically it wasn't her fault.  She had just recently been hired at the new restaurant, The Great Hall, which had opened its doors in the center of Hogsmeade.  The Great Hall had opened right before the new semester had started in hopes that the students would help populate the tables during study breaks from school.

            Word had spread fast among the wizarding community about the new place, which identically resembled Hogwart's from top to bottom.  Selena had just finished wiping up the spill when she looked up to see Dumbledore approaching the empty bar.  He glanced around the room, saw her, and smiled.

"Hello, Selena.  I have heard much about this place, and thought I should give it a try."

            "I'm glad you stopped by, but you know I knew you were coming," Selena replied almost jokingly.

            "Ah, yes, how could I have forgotten your powers," the headmaster replied.

            "So, would you like to stay and have a drink?  Sex on the broom perhaps, or maybe just a traditional butterbeer?"

            "I think I'll stay traditional, just for old times sake.  Anyway, the semester is beginning anew again today, and I must get back to the school in order to greet the students at dinner.  Would you like to join me?"

            As Selena poured the elder wizard a drink, she replied, "Well, I don't think the boss would like it too much if I left early.  Since the place just opened, we're pretty busy.  You just came at an off-hour, that's why the place is sort of empty.  I doubt I can, but I will definitely try to honor your invitation and show up tonight for the dinner."  Since the time was approaching Happy Hour, business had started picking up again, and Selena had to leave Dumbledore in order to serve all the thirsty customers at her bar.

            Since Dumbledore still had some time to kill before he was needed back at Hogwart's, he decided to wander around the restaurant to see just how similar it was to his beloved school.  "Wow," he thought to himself as he walked, "This place is amazing.  I wonder how they did it."  The old wizard finished his circle of the restaurant, ending up back at the bar, with Selena.

            "So, how do you like the place, Headmaster?" Selena asked.

            "I love it.  In fact, I was thinking of doing some free advertising at the dinner tonight, to let all the students know this place is here."

            "Hey, that sounds like a great idea!  I'm sure the boss would love it.  The more business the merrier, as he always says."

            "Oh my, look at the time!" the wizard noted, "I need to get back to the school now!  The dinner is about to start, and it would look awfully strange if I wasn't there to welcome everyone back."  With that, Dumbledore quickly said good-bye and apparated, appearing immediately in front of the gates of the school.  As fast as he could, he made his way to the Great Hall of the school.  He strode through the doors and wound his way around all the returning students, finally stopping at his place at the faculty table, right in the center of everything that was going on.

            Professor McGonagall was just rising to begin the Sorting Ceremony as the old wizard whisked past her chair.

            "Albus, I thought you'd never show up," she whispered, "What kept you so long?"

            "Just proceed with the Ceremony.  I will fill you in later.  Do not worry, it is nothing bad, I assure you," Dumbledore replied.

            Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table, trying to wait patiently for all the new first-years to be sorted.  Everyone was starving, because the snacks on the train ride just did nothing for anyone's hunger.

            "Bloody hell, why is this taking so long," Ron wondered aloud.

            "I don't know," Hermione countered, "But do you remember our first year, and how we were all so nervous to be sorted?  I love watching all of their faces as the hat gets placed on their heads."

            The whole group watched in amusement as all the little first years were placed into their houses for the next 7 years.  Much to their dismay, they thought many of the new Slytherins reminded them of Draco and many of the people in their class.  Unfortunately, the list of new students seemed to be two miles long.  Neither of his friends noticed that Harry was sitting very quietly, staring intently at Dumbledore.  He could tell that an amazing announcement was about to be made, but he wasn't sure what kind of news would be shared in the commencement speech.